Eastern District of North Carolina

You are here

Justice News

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of North Carolina

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, May 5, 2014

Raleigh Man Pleads Guilty To Child Pornography Charge

RALEIGH – United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that in federal court today, PAUL FANTZ, 31, pled guilty before Senior United States District Judge W. Earl Britt to receipt of child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(2), during his arraignment.

On March 5, 2014, a Criminal Information was filed charging FANTZ with the violation.

According to the investigation, FANTZ was seen attempting to videotape a child in the men’s restroom at the North Carolina State Fair in October, 2013. He was stopped and questioned by Wake County Sheriff deputies. After admitting to the violation, FANTZ was placed under arrest and a search warrant was obtained for his IPhone and laptop. Forensic examination revealed at least 100 videos of boys urinating. Another 100 videos were discovered of child pornography on the laptop.

At sentencing, scheduled for September 8, 2014, FANTZ faces up to 20 years imprisonment. If he has had prior convictions relating to aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse, abusive conduct involving a minor or ward, sex trafficking of children, or the production, receipt, possession, sale, distribution, shipment, or transportation of children pornography, the penalty increases to up to 40 years imprisonment.

Investigation of this case was conducted by the Wake County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Ethan Ontjes prosecuted the case for the United States.

This case was part of the Project Safe Childhood initiative, a national program aimed at ensuring that criminals exploiting children are effectively prosecuted by making full use of all available law enforcement resources at every level. For more information about this important national project, Project Safe Childhood, go to www.projectsafechildhood.gov.